Transiting the new BKK
 

Is the procedure for transiting the new Bangkok airport different from the old one? How segregated is landside and airside these days?

I plan to embed a BKK-TPE-BKK MR on KL (arriving back into BKK sometime between 22-23h) and then leave on NW27 at 06h the next day, and don't think a hotel for a night is worth it given what time I'll get to a hotel and what time I'll have to leave to get back to the airport.

Assuming I've printed my all BPs, can I assume that I can remain airside and go to the departure level or is the new airport more bureaucratic than that? Do I have to wait at a transfer desk?

Assuming no checked bags then you could stay in international transit after returning from TPE and before departing to NRT on NW. If doing that then just make your way to the NW departure gate (security does not ask for boarding passes; if they do then show your itinerary) and check-in there. Make sure they understand your situation as they will question your lack of a Departure Card.

I've seen many passengers doing this at the UA departure gate after having recently arrived from India on TG flights.

Are airline agents at the gate 7-8 hours before departure? I'm hoping to just go to the lounge NW uses (all the other ST lounges being closed overnight)

Thanks again.

No, agents will be at the departure gate ~ 2 hours prior to departure, so figure closer to 04:00.

NW uses the CIP lounge which is listed as being open 24 hours, but a max visit limit of 3 hours...

Does anyone know why NW uses the CIP lounge instead of the Sky(Team)Lounge that's officially leased to Air France (I think) but used by most other SkyTeam airlines, e.g. KLM, Korean, Aeroflot? Just curious.

Maybe CIP charges NW less per pax than AF.

The OP should* be able to use the SkyLounge, which is on level three of Concourse F, at least until the late-night Korean Air flights depart around 1:45 am.

*Should if the OP is flying in WBC or is SkyTeam Elite Plus, which I assume "FB PE" is.

Could be the time NW28 departs. 0600 departure so I doubt many pax go there for more than a few minutes between checkin and getting to the gate area, if they go at all.

The lounge will have more traffic the rest of the time (the KL and AF flight to TPE/AMS and SGN/HAN/CDG respectively).

Thanks for the headsup. Who runs the Skylounge?

The SkyLounge is the Sky(Team)Lounge, the one technically leased to AF but used by most SkyTeam airlines. Probably staffed by TG ground services, though. It will be decked out in Korean regalia until the KE flights depart, and it may well close around 1:30 a.m. or so. I wrote a long description of the lounge about a year ago, either in the KE forum or, more likely, the Thailand forum. It's pretty good and quite spacious.

This is confusing. The ST guide to bKK says there is an AF ("Terminal 2
Airside - after passport control") and a KE lounge ("Airside - Near pier 2 on the third floor after passport control"). Are they one and the same?

These descriptions sound like they are old and apply to Don Muang when it was BKK.

You're right. I just had a look at the website again and it is showing the old airport.

Here at the Business Class CIP lounge that NW uses (by the G concourse). Was in the F one earlier used by AF and KL. KE seems to use the CIP First Class facility (base of F concourse) or maybe it's for KE FC pax.

Given the reputed tougher security (which I will experience in a few hours), there may not be much time between checkin and boarding. I hear 1 1/2 hours checkin to gate isn't uncommon.

Addendum:

No security or other restrictions getting from arrivals (2/F to transit/departures (3/F & 4/F) at all. No need for onward BP/itinerary or anything. If you wanted to live in an airport for the rest of your life, this one is it!

I've never had any long delays getting through security at Suvarnabhumi. More often than not, I just walk right through. My only outbound snags have been at Immigration. Check-in can be a zoo, but my SkyTeam status or a seat up front has helped with that recently.

I think you'll be okay getting through security--especially if you go through the checkpoint on the lounge level where you are now, rather than going up to the much-more-crowded checkpoint on Level 4, from which you'll promptly take an escalator down to Level 3 anyway.

This security has to do with U.S. airline flights only (there's a thread either in the UA forum or moved here from there) detail in this. You go through normal security first, then you get in line for another one where your person is frisked, shoes hand checked and someone hand searches your bag in addition, without exception.

Previously at the old BKK (DMK), you'd just go through normal security and get picked at random (or not) at the gate for further security.

That would explain it. I've never flown a US-flagged carrier out of Bangkok.